Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Tuesday that relations between Moscow and Paris are “now at a low point,” partly resulting from France‘s actions that curb free speech, restrict data dissemination, and respect for journalism.
Speaking at a news convention in Moscow following a gathering with Yemeni Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani, Lavrov stated Russia has requested entry to businessman Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, who was arrested on Aug. 24 in France, noting that the request is presently below assessment by French authorities.
“Durov has been detained clearly on someone’s advice and threatened with severe punishment in an attempt to gain access to encryption codes. The actions of the French authorities have proven that Telegram is indeed a reliable and popular network,” stated Lavrov.
Russian media alleged that Durov’s arrest could have been ordered by French President Emmanuel Macron, following a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who believes Telegram is essential for Russian army communications.
He stated the UAE, the place Durov is a citizen, is working to resolve the difficulty and has assembled a authorized group to get fast entry to him.
SOME ‘PARTICIPANTS’ IN GAZA CONFLICT WANT FIGHTING TO CONTINUE
Concerning the present scenario in Gaza, Lavrov stated some “participants” concerned within the battle seem to have a vested curiosity in persevering with the preventing, hoping for a change within the world political panorama.
The Israeli aspect is reportedly ready for developments within the U.S. elections in early November, hoping for an final result that will ease worldwide stress on Tel Aviv, he famous.
He condemned the continuing battle in Gaza as a violation of worldwide legislation and criticized Israeli statements that labeled all Gazan civilians as “terrorists,” calling such views “the most dangerous mentality.”
LAVROV DISMISSES ZELENSKY’S REMARKS
Regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks concerning the Kursk area incursion, wherein he claimed that Western international locations prevented Kyiv from putting deep into Russian territory, Lavrov merely stated “blackmail.”
Earlier, British authorities officers made contradictory statements about permitting Kyiv to make use of Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russia. According to British media, London is purposefully obscuring the scenario to maintain Moscow guessing about its true place.
However, the highest Russian diplomat described this technique as “playing with fire.”
He additionally stated the West is intentionally pushing Zelensky to escalate relations with Moscow to elicit a drastic Russian response, hinting on the potential use of nuclear weapons.
“It won’t work…. You won’t be able to provoke us,” Lavrov emphasised.
When requested if Russia would take into account attending a brand new assembly on the Ukrainian settlement if it have been held in one of many world South international locations, Lavrov stated Russia believes such Western-sponsored gatherings are makes an attempt to stress Moscow into accepting Zelensky’s phrases.
Russia, he confused, is simply keen to have interaction in negotiations the place nobody imposes ultimatums.
“If the West is genuinely interested in normalizing the situation in Europe, from which Europeans themselves are already suffering, then we need to sit down at the negotiating table calmly, without any papers like the so-called Zelensky formula, and start an honest dialogue,” he stated.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen al-Zindani, for his half, expressed curiosity in Russia’s help in resolving the scenario within the Red Sea and the Middle East as an entire.
“The escalation in the Red Sea harms global security. We are interested in the Russian Federation playing a crucial role in resolving such situations, as well as the crisis in the Middle East through political and diplomatic means, leveraging its contacts with other countries,” he stated.
Source: www.anews.com.tr